Healthcare & Medical Insurance

View the topics below to learn more about health insurance requirements, immunization requirements, and choosing a medical insurance policy.

• Wellness at Penn's Student Health and Counseling teams provide outpatient care for all students on campus. 
• Access to Student Health and Counseling’s services are provided through Penn's Clinical Fee. All full-time students, including those who are enrolled in the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP), will be charged the Clinical Fee. Even those who do not subscribe to the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) will be automatically charged a clinical fee each semester. Emergency and specialty care is provided by the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). Spouses and partners of students may use the services of Student Health and Counseling on a fee-for-service basis. Care for young children is available at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, located beside HUP.
• Penn requires that all full-time students obtain comprehensive health insurance coverage that meets certain standards. This will ensure that they are also covered for emergency care, hospitalization, or special services not covered by Student Health and Counseling. Penn sponsors a student plan which is strongly recommended, called the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP). However, if an individual already has a plan that meets the requirements, they may submit a waiver. Please visit the Insurance Requirements page for details and review the list of considerations in choosing a health care policy.

The University of Pennsylvania requires all students to be compliant with the immunization requirements. Failure to meet these requirements will result in denial of student registration privileges. All students must submit their immunization information into their secure Wellness Portal.

Learn more about the University’s Immunization Requirements.

Scholars with salaried appointments at Penn should contact their academic departments to determine what arrangements, if any, have been made for health insurance. Scholars who do not receive a salary from Penn can obtain information on medical insurance provided by companies that specialize in protecting international visitors on educational exchange programs from ISSS. We cannot advise about health insurance policies but can provide brochures and contact information. Scholars who purchase insurance policies in the home country to cover a stay in the US, or those are sponsored by an organization that is providing health insurance, should make certain that their coverage meets the minimum requirements described below. All scholars with health insurance not covered by Penn should bring documents describing their coverage and claims procedures.

• J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to have health insurance during the entirety of their stay.

  Willful failure to comply with these insurance requirements will result in termination of the Exchange Visitor's program.

  Insurance coverage must meet the following criteria:

  • Medical coverage of at least $100,000 per accident or illness.

  • Medical evacuation must be covered in the amount of at least $50,000.

  • Repatriation must be covered in the amount of at least $25,000.

  • The deductible must not exceed $500 per accident or illness.

  • Any coinsurance requirement cannot exceed 25%

  • The carrier must be at least A- rated or backed by the full faith and credit of the Exchange Visitor’s home government.

  • For J-1 Visiting Scholars who will be in the US for longer than 12 months, pre-existing conditions must be a covered benefit, with the waiting period for coverage no longer than 12 months.  If the insurance policy has the pre-existing conditions benefit as a set amount, benefit coverage must be the same as illness coverage.  

  Many, but not all, University student, postdoctoral researcher, and employee health insurance policies meet or exceed these requirements. The J-1 Exchange Visitor should check his/her plan for the specific coverage it offers - particularly with regard to medical evacuation and repatriation - and purchase supplementary insurance if necessary.

The costs of medical insurance vary according to the type of coverage provided and whether coverage for dependents is requested. Dental care is generally not included in a medical insurance plan, nor are prescriptions, eye examinations or eyeglasses. Individuals may choose to purchase additional coverage for dental care and vision.
When choosing health insurance, it is important to understand the insurance policy on the following points:

• Does it cover medical expenses incurred in the US?

• Does it pay all or nearly all medical costs? Many plans will require the policy holder to pay a percentage of the costs, referred to as "co-payment."

• Does it have a "cap," meaning a limit to total payments or payments per day or per year?

• Does it have a "deductible," meaning the amount that the policy holder must pay before the insurance starts paying?

• Does it exclude "pre-existing conditions"? Some insurance policies will not cover medical care expenses for medical conditions that you had before getting the insurance. Pregnancy is often viewed as a pre-existing condition.

• Does it have maternity coverage? If so, what kind?

• Does it cover accompanying family members?

• Does it remain in effect during the individual’s entire stay in the United States?

• Does the company provide a policy identification card that one can carry as proof of insurance?

• How does the insurance company's payment system work?

Information on health insurance companies and policy options can be found below.

View the topics below to learn more about healthcare in the US, where to seek medical care, what to expect at the doctor's office, mental wellness, and dental care.

• The system is privately funded, not government sponsored.

• Payment is the responsibility of the individual, with or without health insurance.

• Some doctors providing services at a hospital may bill the patient separately.

• Payment is usually expected at the time the care is given, therefore you should always check that your insurance will cover the treatment before it is given.

• You are responsible for seeing that bills are submitted and that claims forms (used to request payment from the insurance company) are properly completed.

• The reimbursement process takes time and incomplete forms can cause further delays.

• Copies of all bills and papers should be kept for at least one year.

• It is appropriate to seek an opinion about your case from a second doctor before deciding on a course of treatment.

• Be aware of your own health needs and background. Keep copies of your past medical records with you. It is very helpful, for example, to tell the doctor which medications you have taken in the past.

• It is appropriate to ask questions about your condition and your treatment. Take a friend to the doctor's office with you to translate or help with forms if you feel that will help.

For emergencies outside regular hours, go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Emergency Room.

If you feel sick do not hesitate to get help - even if you are nervous and have never seen a doctor outside your own country. The longer you wait, the greater risk you run for developing a serious problem from what may have been minor and easy to treat. Unless you have a real emergency, such as uncontrolled bleeding or a broken bone, do not go to a hospital emergency room for treatment. Emergency rooms are very expensive and, if your condition is not life threatening, you may have to wait a long time for care.

All full-time students at Penn may use seek care at Student Health and Counseling. If it’s a true medical emergency, students should seek care the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). If you are taking a minimum of three courses per semester (or are on dissertation status), the services provided through Student Health and Counseling are covered by the mandatory Clinical Fee. Only part-time students, students abroad, and students on a leave of absence are exempt from the Clinical Fee. Spouses of students can use the service on a fee-per-visit basis with guest ID. Children, however, should receive care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia located beside the HUP.

For emergencies call 911 for assistance. For minor emergencies outside regular office hours, go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Emergency Room.

Scholars and families of scholars are not eligible to use Student Health and Counseling services. You can call the University of Pennsylvania Health System at 1-800-789-PENN to obtain a directory of Penn primary care physicians or you may want to get references from friends and colleagues.

When choosing a doctor, consider whether you would prefer to see a man or a woman, an older practitioner or a younger one, etc. Even if you are not asked, you should make your preferences known. For the best medical care, it is valuable to choose one clinic and use it throughout your stay. In this way, all those who see you will know you and your medical history and will be better able to treat you.

Most clinics in the US are staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners (registered nurses qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat many common conditions), midwives (registered nurses specializing in prenatal and childbirth practice), registered nurses, and a variety of health care workers. You may not see a physician when you first seek medical care. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may receive care immediately, later the same day, or the next day. You may be offered a choice of doctors or health-care providers.

The time you spend with health care providers may seem very brief, with little opportunity for conversation. The doctor or nurse will ask you many questions; some may appear unnecessary or intrusive, but you should try to answer them as completely as possible. You may think the approach abrupt and impersonal; however, the workers are only trying to be efficient and thorough. It is expected that patients will ask questions about their health, diagnosis, treatment, and costs.

American-trained physicians generally expect their patients to participate actively in making decisions about medications and treatment choices. If you ever have difficulty understanding anything about your medical status or treatment, ask for clarification. You can ask workers to talk more slowly, to repeat, or to write something down. If you think you will need a translator, ask when you make your appointment if someone can assist you, or ask a friend to accompany you.

International students and scholars often hesitate to consult a professional about mental health problems. You may never have had the need to talk to a psychologist, psychiatric social worker, or psychiatrist at home, and you may think only "crazy" people with severe mental problems are treated by such professionals.

It is not uncommon in the US, however, for people with emotional problems to seek professional help. As you are far from home and lacking the usual support system of family and friends, you may find it helpful to consult a mental health professional when dealing with issues of adjustment, depression, strain or stress. The process will be completely confidential.

• As a student, you may wish to contact the Reach-a-Peer Helpline. It is a peer support telephone service, 215-573-2RAP, established by and for Penn students to provide information, peer support and referrals. The Line is open (M-F 9pm-1am, during the academic year) to all students who wish to share a problem, need information or just want someone to talk to. It is a confidential, anonymous, and free phone service. Student active listeners can provide callers with their objective, undivided attention. However, RAP-Line is not a professional crisis hotline. Their website can be used to write an anonymous and confidential letter:

• Students may also make an appointment for a counseling session which is part of Wellness at Penn.

• Visiting scholars and their families can contact the Employee Assistance Program for short-term professional assistance, 888-321-4433

You can obtain quality dental care at a reasonable price from Penn's Dental School. You will be treated by advanced dental students working under the supervision of professors. You can also visit the Dental Care Center, 215-898-8965, which is the practice of Penn faculty members.